Shower for washing a person&#39;s head

ABSTRACT

A compact shower for washing a person&#39;s head has a basin having a surface that slopes downwardly to a drain, and a continuous overhead structure extending upwardly from two opposing sides of the basin and spanning over the basin. A lower facing surface of the overhead structure is fitted with at least one spray nozzle for directing a sprayed pattern of water downwardly from the overhead structure and into the basin. A water supply pipe, connected to a pressurized source of water flow, extends within the overhead structure and connects to the at least one spray nozzle. Valve control handles are positioned exteriorly of the basin for controlling the water temperature and pressure. The valve handles can be operated by the user while the user&#39;s head is positioned under the overhead structure so that only the user&#39;s head is drenched with water and the remainder of the user&#39;s body remains dry.

This application is based on provisional patent application Ser. No.61/377,590 filed on Feb. 9, 2010.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to compact showers, and more particularlyto a compact shower that is particularly adapted to receiving the headof a user while either standing or seated, and wherein the showerincludes an interior wash chamber having a plurality of nozzles fordischarging a sprayed array of water onto the user's head and face.

2. Discussion of the Related Art

There are times throughout the day when many people like to wash theirface, and maybe even rinse their hair, in order to freshen up withouthaving to disrobe and take a conventional shower. Moreover, many peoplelike to simply wash their hair and face in the morning, especially whenit is cold, as an alternative to taking a shower. Washing one's hair andface in the sink can usually be accomplished in about one minute, usingfar less water than using a conventional shower. Also, when a full bodyshower is not necessary, people can avoid the discomfort of getting coldwhen stepping out of the shower. Moreover, people who are in a hurry toget to work may find it more convenient to wash their face and, if theychoose, their hair using the sink as opposed to the conventional shower.As stated above, this can be accomplished in about 1-2 minutes, while itmay take a few more minutes to dry one's hair.

When travelling, one may find it more convenient to simply wash theirface, and possibly their hair, as opposed to taking a shower.Additionally, even if a shower is not needed, many people simply preferto freshen up while traveling by splashing water on their face andquickly drying off with a towel. While many people do wash their faceand hair in a sink during the course of a day, using a sink is notentirely convenient. The fact on a sink is usually fixed and it isdifficult to get one's head under the flow of water exiting the faucet.Additionally, since the sink is open on the sides, water tends to splasharound the sink, on the vanity or countertop and mirror. This leaves amess and creates additional work for the person having to clean thebathroom. Further, because the sink is generally horizontally oriented,a person needs to bend forward and downwardly to an uncomfortableposition to get their head inside the sink.

Accordingly, there remains a definite need for a compact showerstructure that is specifically adapted for receiving a person's headwhile comfortably standing or seated, and wherein the shower has anarrangement of nozzles that are particularly adapted to dispense asprayed array of water onto the top, sides and back of the user's head,as well as the face, without the user having to move their head intoawkward positions.

OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION

Considering the foregoing, it is a primary object of the presentinvention to provide a compact shower that allows a person to wash theirhair and/or face at any time of the day that is convenient and withouthaving to completely disrobe.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide acompact shower for washing a person's hair and face in approximately 1-2minutes.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide acompact shower that can be mounted within a wall structure in a bathroomor supported on a vanity, and wherein the compact shower structureallows a person to comfortably and quickly wash their face withouthaving to move into awkward positions.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide acompact shower for washing a person hair and face, and wherein theshower includes a wash chamber that is specifically shaped andconfigured for comfortably receiving the persons head therein, andfurther, wherein the shower includes a plurality of nozzles within thechamber for dispensing a sprayed array of water at optimal angles andpositions to rinse the person's hair and face.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide acompact shower for washing a person's hair and face, and wherein theshower is adapted for connection to conventional plumbing within a home,hotel or other building structure.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide acompact shower that is adapted to receive a person's head for washingthe hair and face, and wherein the shower includes hot and cold waterhandles for turning the water on and off and for adjusting the watertemperature and pressure.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide acompact shower for washing a person's hair and face that usesconsiderably less water than a conventional shower.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide acompact shower for washing a person's hair and face uses less water andis environmentally friendly, and further wherein the shower may qualifyfor federal government tax credits for hotels, businesses andresidences.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention are more readilyapparent with reference to the detailed description and accompanyingdrawings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a compact shower for washing aperson's hair and face which consists of a wash chamber having a meansfor water spraying (e.g. spray nozzles), a means for controlling thewater temperature and pressure (e.g. hot and cold water handles), a pumpfor delivering water to the wash chamber, a drain to receive and removethe used water, and a means for supporting the assembly at an elevatedlocation (e.g. a wall mounting or a mobile cart, as shown below).

The first component of the present invention is the wash chamber. Thewash chamber may be of any conventional shape which is suitable forreceiving a person's head. Along a portion of the interior of the washchamber, preferably an upper portion, a means for water spraying willdeliver water to the central open area of the chamber (i.e. the areawhere a person's head would be). This means for spraying water can bealtered based on user preferences, and may include a number of spraynozzles or other conventional means. In a preferred embodiment, theangle at which water is sprayed may be altered at any time by the userto match their needs and provide optimal cleaning. Additionally, thewash chamber may include an extendable shower hose which the user mayhold in their hand and position around their head while water spraysfrom the nozzle at the end of the hose. The wash chamber of the presentinvention may include only the shower hose as the primary means forwater spraying, or it may include it as an addition to the primary means(e.g. nozzles along the interior wall).

The second component of the present invention is the means forcontrolling water temperature and pressure. This may be achieved by anyconventional means (e.g. hot and cold water handles, a rotatable handle,etc.). The control means will preferably be located along the structureof the wash chamber but not inside the wash chamber where water is beingreceived. In a preferred embodiment, the control handle(s) are locatedbeneath the wash chamber facing horizontally outward. Both thetemperature of the water spraying into the wash chamber and the pressure(i.e. speed at which the water is being sprayed) may be changed at anytime according to the user's preferences.

The third component of the present invention is a pump for deliveringwater to the wash chamber. The pump may be included as part of acomplete shower assembly (e.g. as part of the mobile cart assemblydiscussed below) or it may be provided separately (e.g. in the case of aprivate home installment). The pump provides adequate water pressure todeliver water through a pipe to the wash chamber.

The fourth component of the present invention is a drain for removingused water from the wash chamber. The drain will be preferably locatedat the lowest point in the sloped bottom surface of the wash chamber.Water will pass through the drain and through an exit pipe where it maybe transported to a destination suitable for waste water (e.g. throughsewage pipes for a wall mounting or to a waste-collecting bucket for themobile cart assembly described below).

The fifth and final component of the present invention is a means forsupporting the shower assembly at an elevated location. In a firstpreferred embodiment, the assembly is mounted within a wall at anelevated height. Support structures within the wall will hold the showerassembly along its upper and lower surfaces to sustain its weight andensure that it is securely attached. Pipe connections to the showerassembly in this embodiment preferably run through the wall to the mainwater lines (i.e. the pipes used for the sinks, showers etc.).

In a second preferred embodiment, the assembly is mounted on a flathorizontal surface, such as on a bathroom countertop, similarly to how asink is made. In this second preferred embodiment, the back surface ofthe wash chamber may be removed, in which case the chamber will consistprimarily of a recess in the flat horizontal surface (i.e. awater-receiving basin) and an overhead means for spraying water (e.g. asolid arch with nozzle(s) built in, etc.). The means for controllingwater temperature and pressure (e.g. water handle(s)) are preferablylocated to the side(s) of the wash basin on the flat horizontal surface.

In a third preferred embodiment, the assembly is mounted on a flathorizontal surface as part of a mobile cart. The cart consists of alower flat horizontal surface and an upper flat horizontal surface. Theshower assembly is built into the upper flat horizontal surface in thesame manner as in the second embodiment. The bottom flat horizontalsurface holds the clean and dirty water buckets and supports the pumpfor supplying clean water to the wash chamber. A number of wheels maypreferably be installed along the bottom face of the lower flathorizontal surface in order to make the assembly mobile. An on-offswitch may be included to turn the pump on and off.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a fuller understanding of the nature of the present invention,reference should be made to the following detailed description taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first preferred embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional side view of the first preferred embodimentof the present invention taken along A′-A′ as shown in FIG. 1

FIGS. 3-6 are frontal elevational views of the first preferredembodiment of the present invention illustrating a variety of nozzlearrangements along the continuous overhead structure.

FIG. 7 is a frontal elevational view of the first preferred embodimentof the present invention illustrating a shower hose being connected tothe continuous overhead structure.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a second preferred embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a third preferred embodiment of thepresent invention.

Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several viewsof the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring initially to FIGS. 1-7, a first preferred embodiment of theshower assembly of the present invention is shown and is generallyindicated as 10. The shower assembly 10 consists primarily of a washingchamber 20, a means 30 for controlling the water temperature andpressure (e.g. hot and cold water handles), and a drain 40 to receiveand remove the used water.

The washing chamber 20 has a continuous overhead structure 22 whichincludes a means 24 for spraying water (e.g. spray nozzles). Somevarious means 24 for spraying water are shown in FIGS. 3-7. FIG. 3 showsa plurality of built-in spray nozzles, each of which emit severalstreams of water at different angles. FIG. 4 shows a plurality of builtin single-stream spray nozzles. FIGS. 5-6 show a plurality of and asingle external spray nozzle, respectively. FIG. 7 shows a hose andnozzle extending outward from the overhead structure 22, allowing theuser to have full control over the direction and location of the streamof water.

The wall mounted shower assembly of the first embodiment, as shownclearly in FIGS. 1-2, receives pressurized water through an intake pipe31. Water handle(s) 30 control the operations of a valve 32 which allowsvarying levels of fluid flow to pass through the spray nozzle(s) 24 tothe washing chamber 20. The water is used within the washing chamber 20for cleaning and then proceeds to a bottom inner surface 21 of washingchamber 20 which slopes downward to the drain 40 which allows used waterto escape through the drainage pipe 42. The assembly 10 is mounted on awall W through interior support structures S within wall W.

Referring to FIG. 8, a second preferred embodiment of the presentinvention is shown and is generally indicated as 100. The showerassembly 100 is built into a flat horizontal surface C (such as abathroom countertop). The assembly 100 includes a continuous overheadstructure 122 which includes a means 124 for spraying water (e.g. anumber of spray nozzles). Means 124 are controlled by water handle(s)130 which control the water temperature and pressure delivered. A recess121 in the surface C collects used water and is sloped downward to adrain which allows the water to exit, much in the same fashion as thefirst embodiment 10 of FIGS. 1-7.

Referring to FIG. 9, a third preferred embodiment of the presentinvention is shown and is generally indicated as 200. The showerassembly 200 includes a continuous overhead structure 222 which includesa means 224 for spraying water (e.g. a number of spray nozzles). Means224 are controlled by water handle(s) 230 which control the watertemperature and pressure delivered. A recess 221 in an upper slab 262 ofa cart 260 collects used water and is sloped downward to a drain 240which allows the water to exit through the drainage pipe 242 to thecollecting container 244 on the bottom slab 263. Water is supplied froma fresh water container 254 by a pump 250. Pump 250 is powered by abutton 251 which connects 252 to the pump. A switch 253 controls theheating systems for heating the water in container 254. Water is pumpedthrough the intake pipe 231 into the continuous overhead structure 222.The cart 260 includes wheels 261 connected to the bottom slab 263 togive it mobility. After the end of use, the collecting container 244must be emptied, and the clean water container 254 must be refilled withclean water.

While the present invention has been shown in accordance with thepreferred and practical embodiments, it is recognized that departuresfrom the instant disclosure are fully contemplated within the spirit andscope of the present invention.

1. A compact shower for washing a person's head comprising: a basin with a sloped surface that slopes downwardly from a perimeter towards a lowest basin surface area; a drain located at said lowest basin surface area of said sloped surface, and said drain being adapted for connection to an exit pipe located beneath said sloped surface; at least one intake pipe adapted for receiving a pressurized flow of water; a continuous overhead structure extending upwardly from two opposing sides of said basin and spanning over said basin, said continuous overhead structure having a lower-facing surface, and at least one internal pipe in fluid flow connection with said at least one intake pipe; at least one nozzle for spraying water out from said lower-facing surface of said continuous overheard structure, said nozzle being connected to said at least one internal pipe; and means for controlling the water temperature and pressure delivered through said at least one internal pipe, said means for controlling the water temperature and pressure using a valve connected to said at least one intake pipe, said valve being structured for controlling the amount of fluid which passes through said at least one intake pipe.
 2. The compact shower as recited in claim 1 wherein said compact shower further comprises: a continuous vertical surface extending between a rear of said basin and said continuous overhead structure.
 3. The compact shower as recited in claim 1 wherein said at least one nozzle is attached to a flexible and extendible hose.
 4. The compact shower as recited in claim 1 further comprising a plurality of said intake pipes for supplying a combination of cold water and heated water to said at least one nozzle.
 5. The compact shower as recited in claim 1 wherein said compact shower is supported within a wall structure.
 6. The compact shower as recited in claim 5 wherein said wall structure contains said at least one intake pipe and said exit pipe.
 7. A compact shower for washing a person's head comprising: a basin having a slope surface that slopes downwardly from a perimeter towards a lowest basin surface area; a drain located at said lowest basin surface area and connected to an exit pipe located beneath said bottom horizontal surface; at least one intake pipe which receives pressurized water; a continuous overhead structure extending upwardly from two opposing peripheral edges of said basin and spanning over said basin, said continuous overhead structure having an upper-facing surface, a lower-facing surface, a front-facing surface and a rear-facing surface, and said continuous overhead structure containing at least one internal pipe which corresponds to and connects to said at least one intake pipe; means for spraying water out of said lower-facing surface of said continuous overheard structure, said means for spraying water connecting to said at least one internal pipe; and means for controlling the water temperature and pressure delivered through said at least one internal pipe, said means for controlling the water temperature and pressure using a valve connected to said at least one intake pipe, said valve being structured for controlling the amount of fluid which passes through said at least one intake pipe.
 8. The compact shower as recited in claim 7 wherein said means for spraying water comprises at least one spray nozzle.
 9. The compact shower as recited in claim 7 wherein said means for spraying water comprises a spray nozzle attached to a hose, said hose connecting to said lower-facing surface of said continuous overhead structure.
 10. The compact shower as recited in claim 7 wherein said at least one intake pipe consists of a plurality of intake pipes which supply a combination of cold water and heated water to said compact shower.
 11. The compact shower as recited in claim 7 further comprising a flat horizontal surface surrounding said basin.
 12. The compact shower as recited in claim 7 wherein said flat horizontal surface is an upward facing surface of an upper horizontal slab of a cart, said upper horizontal slab further comprising a bottom facing surface and at least one side facing surface.
 13. The compact shower cart as recited in claim 12 further comprising: a lower horizontal slab having an upward facing surface and a lower facing surface; at least one straight vertical leg extending outwardly from said upward facing surface of said lower horizontal slab and connecting to said bottom facing surface of said upper horizontal slab; a clean water container supported on said upward facing surface of said lower horizontal slab, said clean water container being filled with clean water prior to use of said compact shower, and said clean water container having a heater integrated therein, and said clean water container having an opening leading to said intake pipe; a collecting container supported on said upward facing surface of said lower horizontal slab; a pump supported on said upward facing surface of said lower horizontal slab, said pump providing said pressurized water to said intake pipe; means for turning said pump on and off, said means for turning said pump on and off being located along said at least one side facing surface of said upper horizontal slab; means for turning said heater on and off, said means for turning said heater on and off being located along said at least one side facing surface of said upper horizontal slab; and a plurality of wheels connected to said lower facing surface of said lower horizontal slab. 